ISLAND
TIME
These are the European destinations that should have
yourattention right now – think endless beaches,
bucket-list World Heritage sites and permanent Aperol
spritz weather, sans the crowds. Get there first
CANARY ISLANDS
SPAIN
Sitting 100 kilometres off the coast
of Morocco, this archipelago treats
its 15 million annual visitors to freshly
caught seafood, black-sand
beaches and (most importantly) a
reliably sunny forecast. “That’s why
half of northern Europe is there all
winter,” jokes ELLE Spain designer
Reyes González-Río. Colonised
by Spain in the 15th century,
the seven volcanic islands are
finally shedding their reputation of
being a magnet for sunburnt British
tourists, and becoming a destination
for a stylish stay. Here, the must-stop
sites on three of the buzziest islands:
TENERIFE
In the port city Santa Cruz, stroll by
colourful stores like The Concept
Boutique & Coffee (a cafe-cum-
showroom), and local designers
such as jeweller Nerea GMurillo
and statement-tee maker Milena
Rodher. For a do-not-disturb
respite, plant yourself in one of the
luxury hotels on the southwest
coast, like The Ritz-Carlton, Abama
(ritzcarlton.com), which boasts
enviable Moorish architecture and
two Michelin-starred restaurants.GRAN CANARIA
Gran Canaria flaunts both
Sahara-rivalling southern sand
dunes and a cosmopolitan
northern capital, Las Palmas.
In the latter, dine beachside
on paella and fresh fish at
La Marinera, or sample
Venezuelan tamales at La Bikina,
a cosy coastal joint with an
Asian- and Latin-influenced
menu. For archaeology buffs,
plan an outing to Cueva Pintada
Museum’s live excavation site to
see pre-Hispanic cave paintings.
LANZAROTE
The easternmost island is home
to Timanfaya National Park,
50 square kilometres of untamed,
martian-looking terrain.
Local artists, like the late architect
César Manrique, built their homes
into and around lava tunnels;
check out his Casa Museo before
heading southwest to the Princesa
Yaiza Suite Hotel Resort
(princesayaiza.com), a six-pool
property overlooking the white
sands of Playa Dorada beach.>SUN WORSHIP:
Geta dose of vitamin D
at the Princesa Yaiza
Suite Hotel Resort on the
island of LanzaroteROSE-TINTED GLASSES:
Moorish-inspiredarchitecture
at Tenerife’s pretty pink
The Ritz-Carlton, Abama173